CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS and SOME GIFT IDEAS

I bet you’ve seen some of these before. Maybe you’ve seen all of them. But, not all of them are billed as Christmas ornaments or ideas. I think they would all make wonderful additions to our holiday decor or gifting. So, browse through here, click on some links, check out my color suggestions, and see what you come up with. I think you’ll find some inspiration!

Wouldn’t this basket be a great way to recycle your favorite greeting cards? The sample shown uses blanket stitch – but I have used single crochets and chains to create the same effect. Hardest problem is avoiding bending the cards too much while working on them. But, I’m such a fan of recycling that I love this idea. http://www.allfreecrafts.com/christmas/card-basket.shtml

This little girl would be adorable with Christmas color accents for her hat and collar. The pattern is for a light pull – but she would make a nice ornament or a brooch. I use plain old safety pins as pin backs for crocheted brooches.

I’ve been making a bunch of towel toppers lately. They make great gifts and will be used and appreciated by the hostess at holiday gatherings. Here’s a hint to ease this project. Using a tapestry needle and a length of yarn that you’ll crochet the top with, sew a row of blanket stitch across the top of the folded towel. Here’s how I fold the towel before I sew the blanket stitch:

Smooth out the towel so that its length is wrinkle free. Take the shorter edges and fold both toward the center so you have a towel that is half as wide as the unfolded version. Then fold the length in half with the short edges lining up nicely. Using long straight pins, pin the folds in place about 2 inches from the top of the fold. Then insert your yarn-threaded needle just inside the fold and pierce the fabric at the top of the fold very near the edge. Blanket stitch across the top of the fold to create a place for you to anchor your first row of crochet stitches. Leave a tail – but no knots – at both ends and crochet over them with your first row of stitches. This creates a tidy, secure foundation for whatever pattern you follow. I enjoy creating the towel topper in half double crochets and using a stunning button to set off the colors of the yarn and towel. By not cutting the towel in half, as many patterns call for, you have a neater edge and a plusher feeling and looking towel. Use finger tip towels or hand towels. Use the same blanket stitch and edging along the bottom of the towel for further embellishment. The towel pictured below does most of the work for you – but solid color towels with variegated or striped yarn will create a nice effect too.

This little Christmas tree would be extra cute with some brightly colored seed beads sewn onto it for cheery embellishment. Create a garland for the tiny tree with a chain of sewing thread on which you’ve threaded some seed beads. Sew or glue to the tree for a nice effect.

And, who doesn’t love a Gingerbread dolly? Simple and easy with the youngsters in mind. Use as a small dolly or as an ornament to hang on the tree.